Hopes are rising that a series of strikes by junior doctors can be averted after union leaders and the health secretary began talks at Acas to try to settle their dispute.
Officials at the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service are overseeing the first formal face-to-face discussions between representatives of the British Medical Association and NHS Employers and Department of Health civil servants.
But as things stand the first walkout – in which England’s 45,000 junior doctors will provide emergency-only cover for 24 hours – is still set to go ahead on Tuesday.
The BMA said the walkout would proceed as planned unless Hunt drops his threat to impose a new contract if both sides cannot thrash out an agreement.
Dr Mark Porter, chair of council at the doctors’ union, said on Wednesday: “It is encouraging that Jeremy Hunt has made a significant shift in accepting the BMA’s offer of conciliatory talks through Acas, finally recognising that trust has broken down between junior doctors and the government.
“Junior doctors and the public, who by now will be used to Jeremy Hunt’s political game-playing, will not be surprised by the fact that he has waited until now to do the right thing.”
He said the BMA wanted to reach “a collaborative agreement for the benefit of patients and the NHS. Importantly, Jeremy Hunt must finally remove his threat of imposition in order to defer Tuesday’s industrial action.”
Sarah Wollaston, the Tory MP and ex-GP who chairs the Commons health select committee and who had been working behind the scenes to try to avert the strikes, criticised the BMA for persisting with strike action while simultaneously engaging in talks.
Pleased to hear from Prime Minister that Govt have agreed to ACAS conciliation. I hope @TheBMA will now suspend strike action
— Sarah Wollaston MP (@sarahwollaston) November 25, 2015
As recently as last weekend, Hunt had ruled out direct talks without preconditions between the two sides, despite NHS bosses and senior doctors making it clear privately that he should be more flexible to avoid industrial action.
In a letter to Porter announcing his U-turn on Wednesday, Hunt said: “Whilst I believe the right thing to do is return to the negotiating table directly, it is clear that any talks are better than strikes, so in the first instance I am very happy for my officials and NHS Employers to commence those talks using Acas conciliation services.”
In a recent ballot, 98% of BMA junior doctors who took part backed strike action in protest at the threatened new contract. They say it is unfair for doctors and unsafe for patients.
Hunt said: “My strong preference is to get round the table and agree with the BMA how we do so [improve the number of doctors on duty in hospitals at weekends] in a way that you consider fair, and we are willing to listen and negotiate on any concerns.”
Danny Mortimer, the chief executive of NHS Employers, said: “Employers across the NHS will welcome a return to discussions with the BMA, working with Acas conciliation services. I remain hopeful that through our joint endeavours we can end this dispute, and modernise the contracts for doctors whilst also addressing their concerns.”
